NAIDOC Week 2019 invites all Australians to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a movement of the nation for a better future.
Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future is the theme for NAIDOC Week 2019 from 7-14 July.
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2019 theme acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia’s democracy.
Voice. Treaty. Truth were three key elements to the reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and represent the unified position of First Nations Australians.
“The 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart built on generations of consultation and discussions among Indigenous people – we need to be the architects of our lives and futures,” National NAIDOC Co Chair Pat Thompson said.
Indigenous Australians sought recognition of their unique place in Australian history and society today, she said.
“For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have looked for significant and lasting change. We need our fellow Australians to join us on this journey – to finish the unfinished business of this country.”
2019 is also a unique opportunity to hear this nation’s Indigenous voice with the year being celebrated as the UN’s International Year of Indigenous Languages.
“It’s time for our knowledge to be heard through our voice – an Indigenous voice of this country that is over 65,000 plus years old,” National NAIDOC Co Chair John Paul Janke said.
The 2019 theme also aims to highlight First Nations’ desires for lasting and effective agreements such as Treaties – which cannot be achieved unless we have a shared, truthful understanding of the nature of the dispute, of the history, of how we got to where we stand, Mr Janke said.
“The history of our First Peoples is the history of all of us, of all of Australia, and we need to own it – hearing this history is necessary before we can come to some true reconciliation, some genuine healing for both sides. Then we can move forward together.”
The 2019 National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony will be held in Canberra on 6 July.
NAIDOC Week events will be held around the country. For more information, visit
